Runsignup versus Active.com

[alangstein]

I've been using active.com for the past 10 years or so and have been moderately happy.  Does anybody have experience using both active.com and runsignup (presumably not for the same races)?

What I specifically like about active.com is their advertising program.  Currently they run a google adwords like system where I can set my click rate and then they will feed out our ads to targeted populations (like just people in Hawaii or just people in Honolulu).  We have had pretty good return on investment with that advertising but I don't think runsignup has anything like that.  Does anybody have any experience with promotions through runsignup?

Thanks,

AGS

[Ohio Race Day]

yep.  I switched from Active to RSU a few years ago.  Active has better marketing but RSU was so much easier to use and has a slightly lower registration fee for the participant.  What I like about RSU is the fact that they give a little "widget" with html code that you can paste directly into a blank webpage. It acts as a portal of sorts for people to register for a race on my page while actually doing so via RSU.  See this example:

http://ohioraceday.com/races/ksu-stark-turkey-trot/

Since I list more than 9 races per year with them, I qualify for their Partner Program and get paid a portion of the registration fee.  It's not big money but its better than nothing. 

Lastly, their rep Jordan Desilets has been readily available for questions and problems.

[joshspiker]

I made the switch a couple years ago and like RunSignUp a lot better. One of the major differences is the reporting options available in RSU. If you want a snapshot of current financials, registrants, t-shirt distribution, city representation, etc it is extremely easy with RSU. It is constantly evolving with new features monthly.

They also allow the RD to decide if people can defer or transfer their registration or switch distances without the RD having to get involved. The saves a lot of time for larger event.

Random cool stuff you didnt know you needed...

If you use RSU results you can set up custom finishers certificates

Shirt Projection Tool (helps you decide how many to order.)

RSU does not offer any marketing like active. We did active instant ads last year for one of our events and undecided if we will next year (we had registrations available on both sites but pushed our main reg RSU..had about 3500 on RSU and 350 on active.)

We felt we had a better roi with facebook ads. RunSignUp has conversion code tracking for facebook and google so you can track how many actual registrations came from those ads. When the participant finalizes their registration the conversion code is triggered.

We embed results on our site (under construction but some of our results are up)... http://www.vendurance.com/race-results/12-channel-islands-harbor-4th-of-july-5k-10k